Hokkaido (Hokkaido)

Hokkaido is the northern island of Japan. Hokkaido is full of nature, including world natural heritage site Shiretoko Peninsula, having abundant wildlife of both plants and animals. It’s also famous for fresh seafood including crabs and sea urchins, with many domestic and international tourists visiting the area. In Winter, ski resorts such as Niseko and Furano are crowded by skiers from all over the world seeking powder snow.

Tohoku (Tohoku)

Tohoku region is located on the northern part of Honshu, surrounded by the sea on three sides. Tohoku is famous for beautiful coastlines such as Sanriku coast and Matsushima, and also for its fresh seafood. Hot spring of Tohoku have been health and healing sanitariums for decades, and the rustic hot springs are still very popular. The golden hall of Chusonji in Hiraizumi (a wealthy town 1000years ago) is a masterpiece.

Kanto (Kanto)

Kanto region has Japan’s capital city of Tokyo with a population of over 10 million. It’s surrounded by large cities such as Yokohama and is the most developed region within the country. It has a mix of modern commercial districts such as Shibuya and Roppongi as well as downtown areas of Asakusa. Historical structures of Nikko and spectacular scenery of Mt Fuji from Hakone provides a variety of places to be enjoyed by tourists.

Chubu (Chubu)

Chubu is located in the centre of Japan. A large part of this area is covered by mountains as high as 3000 meters and due to this mountainous landscape, it’s also called the “Japan Alps”. Jigokudani Onsen where the snow monkeys bath in hot springs, the historical streets of Kanazawa and Takayama are all part of the Chubu region.

Kansai (Kansai)

Kansai region includes Kyoto, the most popular tourist destination of Japan. Kyoto was the former capital of Japan, and its history and culture, temples and shrines, and traditional buildings attract both domestic and international tourists. The autumn colors of Kyoto are absolutely amazing. Osaka, the second largest city of Japan is also located in Kinki, and has become the entry point for foreign tourists into Japan alongside Tokyo.

Chugoku (Chugoku)

Chugoku region is located on the western part of Honshu. A popular tourist destination is Hiroshima. Hiroshima is famous for Itsukushima Shrine and floating Torii gates of Miyajima, as well as the A-bomb dome, Peace Park and Museum. One of the highest ranking shrines in Japan - Izumo Taisha, the picturesque town of Kurashiki, and the limestone cave of Akiyoshido are all part of Chugoku region.

Shikoku (Shikoku)

Shikoku consists of as four prefectures and is one of the four islands that make up Japan. Shikoku is famous for the Shimanami Kaido that allows bicycle access across islands of the Seto inlet, the whirl pools of Naruto and Kagawa’s famous shrine, Kotohiragu. In recent years, the pilgrim journey (Ohenro) around the 88 temples scattered across Shikoku has become a popular activity for international travelers.

Kyushu & Okinawa (Kyushu & Okinawa)

Kyushu region is the far west island and its surrounding islands including Okinawa. Kyushu has many places to visit including the largest city Fukuoka, one of the best hotsprings of Japan - Beppu Onsen, and the impressive black colored Kumamoto Castle. Okinawa has the blue sea and colorful coral reefs with a variety of marine life to enjoy.

Hakozaki-gu Shrine

Hakozaki-gu Shrine

Introduction

Alongside Oita’s "Usajingu" and Kyoto’s Iwashimizu Hachiman, this is one of Japan’s 3 major Hachiman. The deity enshrined here is the Emperor Ojin. It has a long history behind its foundation, and according to records it is believed to have been built in the year 921, and 2 years after that it was moved from Chikuzendaibu Palace.

The entire site is designated as important cultural property and it is scattered with various valuable buildings, including the main hall, hall of worship, tower gate, and Icho no Torii. Various festivals are held here including the Tamatori Festival in which men clad in fundoshi scramble for wooden balls to determine their fortune for the year, and the autumn Hojouya festival where captured fish and wildlife are released into fields, and various other events are held throughout the year are held which are crowded with worshippers.

Strolling around the temples and gardens

The existing main hall and hall of worship were constructed in 1546. These buildings are lacquered in "Kukensha-Nagarezukuri" and have a truly magnificent appearance. The tower gate was constructed in 1594 and has a vast and impressive roof. There is also the stone lantern that tea master Sen no Rikyu used to dedicate a tea party, which has become a power spot, Wakideishi.

In the vicinity are planted some 3500 hydrangeas which bloom in June, and if you come during this time you can enjoy the vivid colors of the flowers. There is also a Japanese garden, the Shin’en Flower Garden which is a dry landscape garden arranged with button flowers and lilies that is open between January 1st and December 10th.

Access

To get to Hakozaki Shrine you can take a train or a bus. By train, take the Hakozaki Line to Hakozaki-Miyamae Station (箱崎宮前駅), and walk 3 minutes, or use the JR Kagoshima Main Line and get off at Hakozaki Station (箱崎駅) and walk 8 minutes. By bus, you can take a Nishitetsu bus to Hakozaki (箱崎) and it’s a 3 minute walk away. You can also take the Hakozaki 1-Chome bus stop (箱崎1丁目) on the JR Kyushu Bus and it’s a 2 minute walk.